Who the fuck is responsible for these dinky-assed parking spaces in every fucking parking lot?

[Hippy Hollow]

I thought this would fit in a minirants thread, but fuck that shit. I think we need a forum for this topic!

I have a Mazda6. Not a huge car. But the lots at Central Market, the hospital, and the freakin' parking garage appear to be designed for smartcars. And to top this off, I live in Texas. So a good number of drivers have F-250s and other military grade land vehicles, which are larger than typical cars.

And to top the whole thing off, there are those jagoffs who reverse into the spot, which means the logic of parking as far to the right (so to allow drivers to get in easily, or even back out and let passengers in) is totally hosed.

I've spent three of the past five days this week sliding my ass on the side of my car to escape these tiny spaces. Seriously, engineers, would it kill you to take one space less so that the rest of us could comfortably park? I have a 35" waist and I can barely squeeze through the space between spots. What about the, er, more Rubenesque among us?

Is this a local phenomenon, or are drivers elsewhere being squeezed thusly?

[The Facts]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

I thought this would fit in a minirants thread, but fuck that shit. I think we need a forum for this topic!

I have a Mazda6. Not a huge car. But the lots at Central Market, the hospital, and the freakin' parking garage appear to be designed for smartcars. And to top this off, I live in Texas. So a good number of drivers have F-250s and other military grade land vehicles, which are larger than typical cars.

And to top the whole thing off, there are those jagoffs who reverse into the spot, which means the logic of parking as far to the right (so to allow drivers to get in easily, or even back out and let passengers in) is totally hosed.

I've spent three of the past five days this week sliding my ass on the side of my car to escape these tiny spaces. Seriously, engineers, would it kill you to take one space less so that the rest of us could comfortably park? I have a 35" waist and I can barely squeeze through the space between spots. What about the, er, more Rubenesque among us?

Is this a local phenomenon, or are drivers elsewhere being squeezed thusly?

Wahhh, we can't fit our SUVs and our fat asses into the parking spots here in Jesusland! Waaah!


Maybe having to park a ways out will get people to rethink driving cars that are too big. And some exercise might help them lose the wieght.

[Alessan]

Do you even know what a Mazda 6 is?

It's a mid-sized sedan. A more sensible car would be hard to find. It is not an SUV.

[conurepete]

i noticed this in college, when I drove an EXP ( a small car by any standard). I only weighed about 120 lbs, and it was still a trial to park, then get out. I figured thats why the rule of the school was "shittiest car gets right of way"

[Cat Whisperer]

I had a nice illustration of how unrealistically small the parking spaces are in some lots a while back. I parked my Corolla (one of the smallest cars in the Canadian market) between two other cars of similar size, and I still could barely get my doors open (and all three cars, miracle of miracles, were all parked properly). All I can conclude is that when people design parking lots, they forget about room for opening doors.

[Una Persson]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

Seriously, engineers, would it kill you to take one space less so that the rest of us could comfortably park? I have a 35" waist and I can barely squeeze through the space between spots. What about the, er, more Rubenesque among us?

Don't blame the Engineers, I'll wager I know exactly how the situation went:

Manager: "We need 100 parking spaces in this section here."

Engineer: "But that's insane - given the size of SUVs and minivans and idiots who drive F-350 Crew Cabs in the city, plus factoring in the average American BMI of, I don't know, 107 or something, that's not going to happen."

Manager: "It's not? Well that's a Goddamn shame to have to fire you right now, what with your 2 mortgages, 3 kids in private school, and a prostate the size of a casaba melon. But hey, you can rely on mortgage bailouts, public schools, and Obamacare to help you make ends meet while you work at your new job as the Wal-Mart greeter from 1:00am-noon every day. IF they're hiring."

Engineer: "Did you say 100 spaces? By Lucifer's left hand, I'll bet I can fit 200 spaces in there!"

Manager: "Good man! Whew, all this managing stuff makes me stressed and horny. I'd better pick up a teenaged hooker and hit the links! Mix me a drink while I make a few calls. G&T, easy on the ice."

[Lynn Bodoni]

The only logical thing to do is to ignore the lines, and park so that you have enough room to get out. Of course, that will lead to another Pit thread about how people can't park within the lines any more.

Seriously, though, I do have to wonder at the logic of some people who ignore the basic laws of physics...how are we supposed to get out of our cars if we can't even open the door two inches? When I learned to sew, I had to learn the concept of ease...that is, of allowing enough extra fabric so that the wearer could move in a garment. There's not nearly enough ease in most parking spaces.

[padabe]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

And to top the whole thing off, there are those jagoffs who reverse into the spot, which means the logic of parking as far to the right (so to allow drivers to get in easily, or even back out and let passengers in) is totally hosed.

Not only have I never seen this convention implemented, I've never heard of it before. I'm not even sure what the logic behind it would be--it's not that hard to center your car in the spot, regardless of how narrow it is.

But yeah, I've been in parking lots that looked like one giant compact section. Bummer for the H2 drivers, but thems the breaks.

[Cat Whisperer]

I missed that - yeah, everyone is supposed to park in the middle of the space, not on the right side of it. That's just weird.

[elmwood]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

Is this a local phenomenon, or are drivers elsewhere being squeezed thusly?

Most zoning codes in the United States establish minimum dimensions of 9' x 18' (2.75m x 5.5 m), with handicapped spaces having much larger dimensions (usually 12'-15' x 18'). Codes in Canada generally have the metric equivalent, with reduced dimensions permitted for spaces at the end of a row. Zoning codes that required a percentage of compact car spaces are mostly a thing of the past, thanks to Hummers and SUVs squeezing in.

Parking spaces in private ramps and lots are often smaller, usually 8' x 16', when such spaces provide supplemental parking above what's required by zoning codes. Parking spaces in New York City are also smaller.

[Qadgop the Mercotan]

Originally Posted by The Facts

Wahhh, we can't fit our SUVs and our fat asses into the parking spots here in Jesusland! Waaah!


Maybe having to park a ways out will get people to rethink driving cars that are too big. And some exercise might help them lose the wieght.

What a silly person!

[elmwood]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

I have a Mazda6. Not a huge car. But the lots at Central Market, the hospital, and the freakin' parking garage appear to be designed for smartcars.

The small spots at Central Market are designed for carts, silly.

[Hippy Hollow]

Originally Posted by padabe

Not only have I never seen this convention implemented, I've never heard of it before. I'm not even sure what the logic behind it would be--it's not that hard to center your car in the spot, regardless of how narrow it is.

This is one of those things, like everyone on an airplane agreeing not to recline their seats, that would possibly help the situation.

If you're in a lot with tiny spaces, if you park more to the right, you give a few more inches of space on the left, which makes it easier for the driver to get out (which of course, every car has). Drivers can always back out and let passengers in.

It's not perfect, people have car seats, etc. But I always try to give more space on the left.

And The Facts, that's a pretty remarkable post/username combo. As others have said, the Mazda6 is a bog standard sized sedan.

[John Mace]

I think this goes back to the energy crises of the 70s, when it was fashionable to give preference to compact cars (ie, better mileage cars) by giving them preferred parking spaces. They used to be explicitly labeled "compact cars", and you still see that in some places.

[FairyChatMom]

Last place I worked, they deliberately made the parking spaces narrower to fit 1 more in each aisle. Management got tired of people whining about not enough parking spaces, so they managed to squeeze maybe a dozen more spots. Who cares if adjacent cars got banged up by doors - the managers all had regular-width, reserved spaces.

I was so glad to leave that place.

[Peremensoe]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

TIf you're in a lot with tiny spaces, if you park more to the right, you give a few more inches of space on the left, which makes it easier for the driver to get out (which of course, every car has). Drivers can always back out and let passengers in.

It's not perfect, people have car seats, etc. But I always try to give more space on the left.

But... then you're reducing the space on your right, which is likely to be the next guy's left. If he wants as much room as you have, he has to park even farther to the right. Your "solution" very quickly makes the "problem" worse.

The best approach is for everybody to be exactly centered.

BTW, I do drive a large truck, and I almost never have any trouble parking.

[The Facts]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

This is one of those things, like everyone on an airplane agreeing not to recline their seats, that would possibly help the situation.

If you're in a lot with tiny spaces, if you park more to the right, you give a few more inches of space on the left, which makes it easier for the driver to get out (which of course, every car has). Drivers can always back out and let passengers in.

It's not perfect, people have car seats, etc. But I always try to give more space on the left.

And The Facts, that's a pretty remarkable post/username combo. As others have said, the Mazda6 is a bog standard sized sedan.

Number one, you missed the part in the OP where she said everyone else is driving pickups and hummers. Fuck the people in hummers and pickups. Let them have a long walk in and get some damn exercise.

Number two, the "standard-sized" American car is too big. If smaller lots helps get Americans out of their land yacht and into sustainable forms of transportation is a good thing. If they can't fit into the spots designed for properly-sized cars, maybe they'll stop using transport as status symbols and penis substitutes. (And what does "bog-standard" mean? Are you driving in swamps or something?)

[padabe]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

This is one of those things, like everyone on an airplane agreeing not to recline their seats, that would possibly help the situation.

If you're in a lot with tiny spaces, if you park more to the right, you give a few more inches of space on the left, which makes it easier for the driver to get out (which of course, every car has). Drivers can always back out and let passengers in.

It's not perfect, people have car seats, etc. But I always try to give more space on the left.

I'm still not seeing it, but I'll keep an eye open for it in the future so I can park in a different row. Ignorance fought.

[mhendo]

There are a few places here in SoCal with small spaces, but for the most part the parking spaces are big enough even for the large SUVs and pick-ups that some people drive.

Some places do have the "Compact car only" spaces, mentioned by John Mace, but the rest of the spaces are generally big enough for large vehicles.

This does not mean, of course, that people who drive large SUVs and pick-ups always manage to fit their behemoths in the spaces. I was at Trader Joe's a while back, and this woman with a massive, jacked-up crew cab took about 5 minutes and 7 reverse maneuvers to guide her barge into place, and even then was parked at a 20^o angle, with the tail across the lines and blocking the adjacent space.

Some people just shouldn't be on the road at all.

[Hippy Hollow]

Originally Posted by The Facts

Number one, you missed the part in the OP where she said everyone else is driving pickups and hummers. Fuck the people in hummers and pickups. Let them have a long walk in and get some damn exercise.

Hello! I am the OP. I'm not in love with Hummer drivers and the like, but I live in Texas. People have big vehicles, partly out of necessity. So to design parking lots like we're in Manhattan is ridiculous. I'm perfectly happy parking far away from the store, but even the spaces there are tiny.

Now if they made "large car" parking zones further out, I'm all for that.

Number two, the "standard-sized" American car is too big. If smaller lots helps get Americans out of their land yacht and into sustainable forms of transportation is a good thing. If they can't fit into the spots designed for properly-sized cars, maybe they'll stop using transport as status symbols and penis substitutes.

My "land yacht" is classified as a compact car:

Originally Posted by Automotive.com

External dimensions: overall length (inches): 186.8, overall width (inches): 70.1, overall height (inches): 56.7, wheelbase (inches): 105.3, front track (inches): 60.6, rear track (inches): 60.6 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 38.7

Not only that, it's Japanese. My car hardly fits into these spaces! The majority of cars at a Central Market are compact and subcompact, and that's where the problem is.

(And what does "bog-standard" mean? Are you driving in swamps or something?)

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bog_standard

[elmwood]

Hippy, did you even read a thing I posted about zoning? I'm quite familiar with the Central Market in question, and I never had a problem parking my similarly sized vehicle there when I lived in Austin. Or, for that matter, any parking lot in Austin, except the smaller spaces in ramps downtown.

I fired up Google Earth, and went to the Central Market on Lamar to measure parking spaces. 9'x18'. You're not going to find larger parking spaces in too many other places anywhere in the country, except rural barbecue joints with dirt and grass lots where you park wherever the hell you feel like it.

[The Hamster King]

Originally Posted by mhendo

There are a few places here in SoCal with small spaces, but for the most part the parking spaces are big enough even for the large SUVs and pick-ups that some people drive.

Maybe in San Diego, but in L.A. there are lots of "Compact Only" spaces ... often crammed full of too-large cars. One of the episodes of Futurama where they go to L.A. even makes fun of it.

[Hippy Hollow]

Originally Posted by elmwood

Hippy, did you even read a thing I posted about zoning? I'm quite familiar with the Central Market in question, and I never had a problem parking my similarly sized vehicle there when I lived in Austin. Or, for that matter, any parking lot in Austin, except the smaller spaces in ramps downtown.

I fired up Google Earth, and went to the Central Market on Lamar to measure parking spaces. 9'x18'. You're not going to find larger parking spaces in too many other places anywhere in the country, except rural barbecue joints with dirt and grass lots where you park wherever the hell you feel like it.

I don't know what to tell you, elmwood. I'm at that Central Market at least once a week and have the same problem when I park there. I don't have it at the H-E-B on Red River, or pretty much any other big shopping center where I park. And I park all over Austin... the spots there certainly seem smaller than elsewhere (UT, other shopping centers, stores on Lamar Blvd - even that shopping center across from CM seems to have better parking).

If your calculations are correct, the only thing I can figure out is because the lot is long without too many grassy islands or cart corrals, one person parking poorly creates a domino effect.

Now with the hospital, it does seem that everybody parking there has an SUV, truck or minivan. But there aren't too many Hummers or F-350s at CM.

[Cat Whisperer]

An interesting phenomenon we see here every winter is that when the parking lots get covered with snow so you can't see the lines any longer, people fall into parking their cars with optimal distance left on both sides - I would guess that they are taking about a foot, foot and a half more space than the painted lines allow. This tells me that regardless of the zoning codes, parking spaces are too small.

[NinetyWt]

My experience with planning departments matches what elmwood is saying. The municipality sets the size of parking spaces with their ordinances. Most cities near me use the 'standard' 9 x 18 spaces. IIRC, many years ago 10 x 20 spaces were used.

I do find them hard to park in when driving my hubby's pickup truck. He, however, has much more experience driving a truck and just whips right in there.

[jasonh300]

Originally Posted by Cat Whisperer

An interesting phenomenon we see here every winter is that when the parking lots get covered with snow so you can't see the lines any longer, people fall into parking their cars with optimal distance left on both sides - I would guess that they are taking about a foot, foot and a half more space than the painted lines allow. This tells me that regardless of the zoning codes, parking spaces are too small.

This doesn't mean that (most) parking spaces are too small, it just means that if not given any direction where to park, most people will leave more space than they need. In most cases, it's not necessary to open the door all the way to get in and out of the car.

My '75 Chrysler probably has a wingspan of 11' or more when both of the doors are open. When I used to drive it every day, I never had trouble parking it or getting in and out.

[emmaliminal]

Anecdotally, I used to live in Austin and drive a Honda Civic. Whether or not the spaces at Central Market are standard, I always found parking there a little tougher than elsewhere. I wonder whether the lanes between them are narrower, making maneuvering into them trickier? Or maybe the CM lot is typically much more crowded than most, with too many eyes watching you crank the wheel?

[needscoffee]

The parking garage in my dentist's building has concrete posts every 4 parking spaces which come right up to the line of the parking spaces. So if you park next to the post, you have to give your car an extra foot or so or you won't be able to open your door. So no one can fit in the space next to you, and the next person to park will park in the 3rd space, leaving the 4th space unparkable due to the concrete pillar next to it. If someone parks in the 2nd pace first, then really only one other car can fit in between the 3rd and 4th spaces. So the 4 spaces alloted are actually only 2 in practice. If they would simply repaint the lines for 3 spaces, everybody would be happy, but then they wouldn't have the right number of parking spaces required by building ordinances.

The problem with SUVs parking in too small spaces is not so much difficulty in them finding spaces, but then the space next to them is cut off from anyone else using it.

One of the great things about Costco is their huge parking spaces.

[Fionn]

Originally Posted by The Facts

Wahhh, we can't fit our SUVs and our fat asses into the parking spots here in Jesusland! Waaah!


Maybe having to park a ways out will get people to rethink driving cars that are too big. And some exercise might help them lose the wieght.

IIRC correctly, Hippie Hollow lives in Austin, so the Jesusland and fatass bits are off-base.

[Count Blucher]

I drive a small sedan (VW Jetta). If I park conscientiously in the outdoor lot with space outlines painted long after the 70s gas crisis was over (2007) there is exactly 3 1/2 inches from each outside tire to the paint line. It isn't that the lot was designed to fit less cars, but it was contract-painted by building management to squeeze in more car-per-square-inch, with the contract going to the most accommodating via sealed bid.

Yes, some Asshats do take up two spaces with their Corvette-style diagonal parking skills, but some cars literally can't fit their tires between the lines no matter how conscientious they try to be because of the length of their wheel-base vs the width of the painted space. That, and there are only two parking spots on the end of each aisle where they could spill over w/o entering a second space.

But its all moot because most building parking lots are considered private property and there isn't a thing people who park there can do about it.

"Force them to use reasonable lengths in painting their parking lots? Why That's Socialism!" *Harrump- Harrump*

[missred]

Originally Posted by John Mace

I think this goes back to the energy crises of the 70s, when it was fashionable to give preference to compact cars (ie, better mileage cars) by giving them preferred parking spaces. They used to be explicitly labeled "compact cars", and you still see that in some places.

My workplace does this. They turned four primo slots into motorcycle parking and have made the first six slots closest to the building (but after handicapped) compact ones. This gave them the spots that were needed in a lot that was no longer expandable.

My compact pickup fits ok in the compact ones, but I usually use one of the others, given the time of day that I arrive and the fact that my big ass needs the exercise.

[elmwood]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

If your calculations are correct, the only thing I can figure out is because the lot is long without too many grassy islands or cart corrals, one person parking poorly creates a domino effect.

Now with the hospital, it does seem that everybody parking there has an SUV, truck or minivan. But there aren't too many Hummers or F-350s at CM.

Maybe not Hummers or F-350s, but regular Central Market shoppers tend to be more affluent than those who normally schlep to an HEB. I did notice more larger vehicles at CM than a typical HEB or Randall's, though; luxury SUVs and SUV/station wagon hybrids were quite plentiful at CM. Basically, lots of upper-middle class moms that were too cool for minivans. Whole Foods seemed to attract a more granola crowd, and there were more compact cars in the lots of the flagship and Loop 360 stores than I saw at CM.

If I went to the HEB Plus on Palm Valley in Round Rock, parking usually was quite difficult. Why? Everybody that shopped there seemed to have hulking Ford F-250s or Chevrolet Silverado 2500s with crew cabs, extended beds and/or duailies. The clientele at that HEB was quite "country". Head a mile south to the Randall's on A.W. Grimes, and the parking lot was filled with normal cars; parking was easy. The spaces at both stores were the standard 9'x18'.

[elmwood]

Originally Posted by Count Blucher

But its all moot because most building parking lots are considered private property and there isn't a thing people who park there can do about it.

"Force them to use reasonable lengths in painting their parking lots? Why That's Socialism!" *Harrump- Harrump*

In my journeys, I'm not coming across all the tiny spaces you guys are encountering. Again, most zoning codes in the United States require 9'x18' spaces except for designated compact car spaces (in archaic codes that haven't been revised since 1976), handicapped spaces (which usually must be 12'x18' or wider), motorcycle spaces, and structured or subsurface parking. If a surface lot is filled with spaces smaller than 9'x18' and you aren't in New York City, it's either a pay lot, zoning violation, or a situation where the developer managed to get a variance.

[The Second Stone]

The answer to this is a Smart car, or part far away from the entrance if you are out in the burbs. If you are in the city, you are screwed without a Smart.

[tr0psn4j]

Some parking lots have "compact only" written on ALL of their parking spaces. I usually read it as "take up two spots." Some of us actually need to drive big cars, so fuck them.

[MeanOldLady]

Originally Posted by The Facts

Wahhh, we can't fit our SUVs and our fat asses into the parking spots here in Jesusland! Waaah!


Maybe having to park a ways out will get people to rethink driving cars that are too big. And some exercise might help them lose the wieght.

God, I just knew some dumb cock was going to wander into the thread and bitch about SUVs. I just thought it would take at least until post 6. The Mazda 6 is smaller than the Toyota Camry. So anyway, Hips, yeah just do what everyone else does and park your car across three spots. Diagonally works best.

On a related note, the library by me has signs by its compact parking section that says something like, "When we say 'compact' we mean it. Vans and SUVs will be towed, motherfuckers." These spots, you may be glad to know, aren't actually all that compact; they're just spaces for people who drives cars, and not tanks. Your 6 would fit in just fine. My Camry and Altima did/do.

[Hippy Hollow]

Originally Posted by elmwood

Maybe not Hummers or F-350s, but regular Central Market shoppers tend to be more affluent than those who normally schlep to an HEB. I did notice more larger vehicles at CM than a typical HEB or Randall's, though; luxury SUVs and SUV/station wagon hybrids were quite plentiful at CM. Basically, lots of upper-middle class moms that were too cool for minivans. Whole Foods seemed to attract a more granola crowd, and there were more compact cars in the lots of the flagship and Loop 360 stores than I saw at CM.

If I went to the HEB Plus on Palm Valley in Round Rock, parking usually was quite difficult. Why? Everybody that shopped there seemed to have hulking Ford F-250s or Chevrolet Silverado 2500s with crew cabs, extended beds and/or duailies. The clientele at that HEB was quite "country". Head a mile south to the Randall's on A.W. Grimes, and the parking lot was filled with normal cars; parking was easy. The spaces at both stores were the standard 9'x18'.

Funny! I go to the H-E-B Plus on Palm Valley quite a bit, usually in the wife's Ford Escape (it's a hybrid, put the brickbat down, Facts). Never had an issue parking there. In fact, I almost always park close to the front, and yep, there are plenty of hulking pickups there.

I agree you do see some exotic too-cool-for-school cars at CM, but I swear to you I'm usually sliding my ass past a Civic or a Volvo station wagon. If anything I see fewer minivans, etc. than at the average H-E-B. Which is kind of my point - one would expect people with cars that can lug stuff at a supermarket, even if it is a bougie outpost.

WF flagship has a pretty good underground parking deal so that's not a problem either.

You have inspired me, however, to bring a tape measure to CM when I go there tomorrow or later this week...

[Count Blucher]

Zoning violation...!? YMMV in your state, but to para-phrase Rodney Dangerfield, just where exactly are you painting this parking lot? Fantasy Land..!?

[unclviny]

I drive a Subaru Forester and it fits in MOST spaces well BUT I go out of my way to park in the "back 40" so I can park in such a way that I do NOT get blocked in by Idiots (and I am a "forward first" guy, it makes MUCH more sense!).

Unclviny

[Really Not All That Bright]

I vote for "Hippy Hollow doesn't know how to park". Have you considered a Vespa?

[abbeytxs]

I think one of the biggest issues with the CM parking lot on Lamar is that it is just always packed. The driving aisles are narrow and it is hard to get into and out of parking spots because there is always a car parked on either side of the spot you are trying to get in to. Forget trying to get in there during lunch time.

Hippy, next time you are at the HEB Plus on Palm Valley if you see a big ol' Expedition with a "Coexist" bumper sticker on it, stop by and say "Hi"! That's right Facts, I am a Texan and I drive a land yacht.

[statsman1982]

I'm still wondering what "a properly sized car" is. Care to give us your definition, The Facts? Or are you content to just be a stereotype of liberal outrage?

*I'm a liberal, BTW.

[GuanoLad]

I don't drive so this may be a dumb suggestion:

If a row of spaces for small-to-medium cars had space for, say, 25 cars, how many medium-to-large cars could fit? 22? 24?

It seems to me they can separate a car park into small car sections (slightly narrower than current) and large car sections (slightly wider than current), and that would balance out the total number of spaces.

[Cat Whisperer]

Since you don't drive, you might not be familiar with the reality that drivers park whatever they want wherever they want (half the time you can't see the "No Parking - Fire Lane" signs for drivers parked in front of them). I don't mean that snarkily - it's just the way it is.

[ENugent]

Originally Posted by Hippy Hollow

This is one of those things, like everyone on an airplane agreeing not to recline their seats, that would possibly help the situation.

If you're in a lot with tiny spaces, if you park more to the right, you give a few more inches of space on the left, which makes it easier for the driver to get out (which of course, every car has). Drivers can always back out and let passengers in.

No, because if everyone parks more to the right, then the car on your left is closer to you and you don't have any more room. What actually would help is for every other car to back in, and for everyone to keep to the right. Then the passengers' sides would be close together, and the drivers' sides would have twice as much room.

Except that some of us have car seats or other reasons why we can't afford to make the passenger side inaccessible.

[t-bonham@scc.net]

Originally Posted by Count Blucher

But its all moot because most building parking lots are considered private property and there isn't a thing people who park there can do about it.

Sure you can!
Complain to the manager of the store about it. Something like "I really like the prices & selection in your store, but I hate that it's so hard to shop here. The parking lot spaces are so small that it's such a pain to come here. I end up going to the XYZ market down the street, just because parking is so much easier. Even though I don't like their store as much." Mention it to a couple of other store employees, too.

It won't take all that many statements like this for a manager to become concerned.

[Capt. Ridley's Shooting Party]

To tag on another rant, which may seem a little impolitic, what's with the proliferation of disabled parking spaces? I have no beef with the disabled (who does?) but stores around here seem to be engaged in an arms race as to who can provide the most disabled parking spots. Are they really expecting that many quadriplegics to arrive en masse? Would it kill them to limit themselves to a mere ten disabled parking spots, as opposed to row upon row of them? Then, once they've exhausted the parking spots for the disabled, they begin anew with dedicated spots for parents and children.

Note, I'm in the UK. Generally, even supermarkets in cities have a relatively small car park compared to the American "sea of tarmac" innovation. Many times, when it's busy, it's very hard to find a car parking space, and it's incredibly frustrating to see row upon row of parking spaces effectively removed from the car park due to restrictions on who can use them.

[CanvasShoes]

Oh GRRRR! Don't get me started on the "pregnant and parents with children" spots. How idiotic. We are pregnant (well, was in my case, as I'm now a granny, not a parent of little ones ), not infirm! And frankly a little walk in the fresh air is good for anyone. A slight hijack, but that mentality just drives me bonkers. That is, that pregnant women and/or parents with babies and toddlers must be treated as if they are delicate glass vases or something.
end hijack.

[flickster]

Never been to the Central Market in Austin, but the one here in Houston has very adequate parking spaces (drive what would be classified as a full size sedan).

Too bad they didn't follow the same concept with isle space inside the store....

[Zeriel]

Originally Posted by CanvasShoes

Oh GRRRR! Don't get me started on the "pregnant and parents with children" spots. How idiotic. We are pregnant (well, was in my case, as I'm now a granny, not a parent of little ones ), not infirm! And frankly a little walk in the fresh air is good for anyone. A slight hijack, but that mentality just drives me bonkers. That is, that pregnant women and/or parents with babies and toddlers must be treated as if they are delicate glass vases or something.
end hijack.

Around my area, the trend is for "parents with children" but not "pregnant" spots...and they're not close to the entrance, they're close to the cart corral, which suddenly makes a heck of a lot more sense (less pushing the cart around after you remove baby from cart seat).